Aloe

Aloe (scientific name: Aloe) commonly known as Aloe, native to the Mediterranean, Africa, for the Asphodelaceae perennial herbs, According to research, more than 300 kinds of wild aloe species, mainly in Africa and other places. The plant popular popular favorite, mainly because of its ease of cultivation, both for the mosaic of ornamental plants. Only six kinds of edible species, of which Aloe Vera has a variety of valuable drugs are:

Aloe Vera with short stem; leaf evergreen, hypertrophic juicy, edge thinning birth spines gradually sharp blade length of up to 15 to 40 centimeters, 1.5 centimeters thick, grass green; summer and autumn flowering, raceme from the leaf extract from , up to 60 to 90 cm, in which inflorescence up to 20 cm, there is alienation arrangement of yellow flowers; capsule Seeds many different varieties of shape difference between the larger.

Chinese Medicinal

Bitter cold in nature, Liver heat, purge, pesticides; also used for headache, constipation, children scared epilepsy, rickets Boil ulcers, burns, ringworm sores, hemorrhoids, atrophic rhinitis, scrofula, hepatitis, bile duct stones, wet eczema, etc.. However, many other varieties, only a few varieties can be used for consumption or external use, in which the best varieties of medicinal value for the Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Barbadensis, also known as Aloe Vera).

Ingredients

Aloe leaf contains more than 200 kinds of compounds, which include 20 kinds of minerals, 18 kinds of amino acids, 12 kinds of vitamins and other nutrients in a variety of [1], including a variety of sticky polysaccharides, fatty acids, anthraquinones and yellow ketones, sugar, active enzymes. Anthraquinones, also known as Anthra owned agricultural complex (Anthraquinone complex), there is the effectiveness of disinfection sterilization, mainly present in the juice inside. However, the epidermis contains aloe emodin, can make patients and diarrhea, and to make pregnant women, abortion, it must be peeled aloe consumed.

Cultivation methods

* Love grows in the drainage in good and difficult to harden in the loose soil.
* The more the soil can be mixed gravel ash, such as leaf mold Cao Hui and so better able to join.
* Drainage poor soil permeability will cause the roots of respiratory obstruction, lousy root necrosis, but the sandy soil often result in excessive moisture and nutrient loss, so that the growth of aloe bad.
* Aloe afraid of the cold. If less than 0 ℃, it will frostbite. Stop growing at about 5 ℃, its optimum growth temperature of 15 ℃ ~ 35 ℃, humidity 45% ~ 85%.

Greenhouse cultivation of the use of thermal insulation will solve a large area north of the winter issue of planting of aloe. Aloe and, like all plants need water, but are most afraid of water. In the rainy wet season or a bad case of the drainage is very easy to leaf shrinkage of root rot or death of branches. Aloe in about 15 ℃ ~ 35 ℃ fastest-growing, China’s 3 to 10 months, most of the region in line with this temperature. During this period to strengthen the management, multiple scarification weeding, can promote soil aeration to accelerate the transformation of soil nutrients, promoting well-developed root system and improve resistance to diseases, to achieve rapid and healthy growth. Timely watering during the hot summer, with particular attention to. Aloe Yoshimitsu heat, but in the summer temperatures are high, but also to prevent the precipitation came from a drought, proper watering receive higher yields. Caused by excessive watering can, generally 5 to 10 days once poured. Vigorous growth period of strains of soil nutrients in body constantly being absorbed, such as aloe vera in time will affect the growth of top-dressing. General fertilizer organic fertilizer slow, can not wait for the growth by affecting the aloe vera after fertilization, so too late. One should not be too much fertilizer, not stained leaves, rinse with water if the stain to use. Aloe vera plant can be picked in about three years had. The leaves of medicinal value of more than three years later. Leaf from the plant when the lower part of the general began, mature leaves hot Su Shun, do not hurt the plants, and daylight to keep the body complete. Aloe leaf accounted for more than 96% moisture. Damaged leaves in the juice out of body, its nutrition is a loss. Also damaged leaves are not easy to save, but also affect other blade storage. We should control the watering in the autumn can be taken to sprinkle water, even in relatively dry soil does not matter, it will easily lousy root. In addition to autumn and winter to keep warm, but also note that as far as possible the sun aloe more common. You can put potted plants, aloe sheltered sunny place. If the temperature is lower, you can use a transparent plastic hooded, 9:00 in the morning after the three-point prior to the afternoon sun.

Asian Ginseng

Introduction

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb Asian ginseng—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Asian ginseng is native to China and Korea and has been used in various systems of medicine for many centuries. Asian ginseng is one of several types of true ginseng (another is American ginseng, Panax quinquefolius). An herb called Siberian ginseng or eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is not a true ginseng.

How It Is Used

The root of Asian ginseng contains active chemical components called ginsenosides (or panaxosides) that are thought to be responsible for the herb’s medicinal properties. The root is dried and used to make tablets or capsules, extracts, and teas, as well as creams or other preparations for external use.

What the Science Says

Some studies have shown that Asian ginseng may lower blood glucose. Other studies indicate possible beneficial effects on immune function.

To date, research results on Asian ginseng are not conclusive enough to prove health claims associated with the herb. Only a handful of large clinical trials on Asian ginseng have been conducted. Most studies have been small or have had flaws in design and reporting. Some claims for health benefits have been based only on studies conducted in animals.

NCCAM supports studies to better understand the use of Asian ginseng. Areas of recent NCCAM-funded research include Asian ginseng’s interactions with other herbs and drugs and the herb’s potential to treat chronic lung infection, impaired glucose tolerance, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Side Effects and Cautions

When taken by mouth, ginseng is usually well tolerated. Some sources suggest that its use be limited to 3 months because of concerns about the development of side effects.

The most common side effects are headaches and sleep and gastrointestinal problems.

Asian ginseng can cause allergic reactions.

There have been reports of breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities, and high blood pressure associated with Asian ginseng products, but these products’ components were not analyzed, so effects may have been due to another herb or drug in the product.

Asian ginseng may lower levels of blood sugar; this effect may be seen more in people with diabetes. Therefore, people with diabetes should use extra caution with Asian ginseng, especially if they are using medicines to lower blood sugar or taking other herbs, such as bitter melon and fenugreek, that are also thought to lower blood sugar.

Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Pumpkin Seed – Cucurbita moschata Duch

Pumpkin is a gourd-like squash of the genus Cucurbita and the family Cucurbitaceae (which also includes gourds). In the United States and Canada it is a common name of or can refer to cultivars of any one of the species Cucurbita pepo, Cucurbita mixta, Cucurbita maxima, and Cucurbita moschata. They are typically orange or yellow and have many creases running from the stem to the bottom. They have a thick shell on the outside, with seeds and pulp on the inside.

In British and Australian English, pumpkin generally refers to what North Americans call winter squash, but would include the above species. This article is based on the North American definition.

Pumpkin seed oil (Kernöl or Kürbiskernöl in German, bučno olje in Slovenian, bučino ulje or bundevino ulje in Serbian and Croatian, and tökmag-olaj in Hungarian), a culinary specialty of south eastern Austria (Styria), eastern Slovenia (Styria and Prekmurje), north western Croatia (esp. Međimurje), adjacent regions of Hungary, is a European Union Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product.

Today the oil is an important export commodity of Austrian and Slovenian parts of Styria. It is made by pressing roasted, hulled pumpkin seeds (pepitas), from a local variety of pumpkin, the “Styrian oil pumpkin” (Cucurbita pepo var. styriaca, also known as var. oleifera). It has been produced and used in Styria’s southern parts at least since the 18th century. The earliest confirmed record of oil pumpkin seeds in Styria (from the estate of a farmer in Gleinstätten) dates to February 18, 1697.

The viscous oil is light to very dark green to dark red in colour depending on the thickness of the observed sample. The oil appears green in thin layer and red in thick layer. Such optical phenomenon is called dichromatism. Pumpkin oil is one of the substances with strongest dichromatism. Its Kreft’s dichromaticity index is -44. Used together with yoghurt, the colour turns to bright green and is sometimes referred to as “green-gold”.

Medicinal uses

Claims, based on local folk medicine, suggesting usefulness of the oil in the prevention and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia may be backed by some studies showing clinically proven efficacy (particularly along with Serenoa repens, saw palmetto, and Pygeum africanum) according to the criteria of evidence-based medicine. [citation needed]

Pumpkin seed oil is most commonly used to treat irritable bowel syndrome. [citation needed] Small studies have also shown that pumpkin seeds, which contain amino acids, steroidal compounds, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, may lower the risk of certain types of kidney stones and improve symptoms associated with enlarged prostates Additionally, pumpkin seeds reportedly contain significant amounts of tryptophan and lysine. Some studies have also found pumpkin seeds to prevent arteriosclerosis and regulate cholesterol levels. [citation needed]

Pumpkin seed oil, commonly prescribed in German folk medicine, remedies parasitic infestations of the intestinal tract such as tapeworms.

The Benefits of Pumpkin Seed

Pumpkin seeds are one of nature’s almost perfect foods. They are a natural source of beneficial constituents such as carbohydrates, amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids. They contain most of the B vitamins, along with C, D, E, and K. They also have the minerals calcium, potassium, and phosphorous. Pumpkin seeds have mainly been used to treat prostate and bladder problems, but they have also been known to help with depression and learning disabilities.

Native American tribes were among the first people to notice the beneficial aspects of pumpkin seeds. They referred to them as cucurbita and used them to treat kidney problems and to eliminate parasites from the intestines.

Because pumpkin seeds turned up so frequently in folk medicines, scientists began to conduct research on the oil extracted from them. One study showed pumpkin seed oil kept hormones from inflicting damage on the cells of the prostate, which helps to reduce cancer development. Another study revealed that the seeds contain a significant amount of L-tryptophan, which is beneficial in battling depression (although it is believed the seeds don’t have enough to treat major depression, they can be used as a preventive measure). Other studies showed pumpkin seeds can improve bladder and urethra function. And they are thought to help stop the formation of kidney stones, even though the ingredient responsible is unknown. Pumpkin seeds have also been used to treat learning disorders and are generally recommended in some countries as a ‘brain food.’ Other studies have shown they prevent hardening of the arteries and help regulate cholesterol levels.

Using pumpkin seeds in cooking is popular in many cultures. Adding roasted pumpkin seeds to soups and salads provides a nutty flavor; and pumpkin seed oil can be used as a salad dressing when combined with products like honey and olive oil. Roasted pumpkin seeds are of course commonly eaten as snacks, but be aware that while roasting brings out their full flavor, the heat also destroys their natural fatty acids. Thus they are most nutritious when eaten raw. Also make sure to refrigerate pumpkin seeds so the oil does not turn rancid.

When buying pumpkin seed oil it is important to check that the label doesn’t list too much sunflower seed oil. Some manufacturers add a lot of sunflower oil to reduce costs since extracting oil from pumpkin seeds is a tedious and complicated process.

A common folk remedy in Germany uses pumpkin seed oil to treat tapeworms, although some say the act is somewhat risky. A person with tapeworms is given approximately ten ounces of ground pumpkin seeds combined with milk and honey. Two hours later, castor oil is given and the tapeworms are eliminated. Studies in China have shown that pumpkin seeds are beneficial to people with a rare parasitic disease received from snails called schistosomiasis. So far the disease has only been found in Africa and Asia.

Pumpkin seeds have been known to cause upset stomach in some people, but they do not interact with other medications as far as anyone knows.

Sources : Pumkin Seed is the dried seed of Cucurbita moschata Duch. the drug is collected in summer and autumn, remove from tissues, washed clean, and dried in hte sun.

White Kidney Bean

White Kidney Bean is an American natural. Long known to be a highly nutritious source of fiber and minerals, it is now thought to interfere with the absorption of complex carbohydrates (pasta, breads, potatoes, etc.); and as a “starch blocker,” White Kidney Bean is said to be very helpful as a support for weight loss programs.

Recent research indicates that supplemental White Kidney Bean may be able to support decreased risk of developing Type-2 diabetes and lower cholesterol.